Gold Coast United skipper Jason Culina looks set to miss the rest of the A-League season. The marquee midfielder aggravated a knee injury whilst on international duty with Australia at the Asian Cup last month and was forced to return home from the tournament.

United were hoping that Culina would be right to help the side in their finals campaign but it looks increasingly unlikely that he will again this term.

"I will push myself for the finals but I can't promise anything," he said.

"It is a matter of getting stronger and recovering ASAP but I am hoping I can catch the back end of the finals - time will tell.

"But so far so good. I have been able to keep training with the team which is something I wanted to do.

"Overall I am pretty satisfied with how it has all gone."

Fourth-placed Gold Coast take on third-placed Adelaide United at Skilled Park tonight in what is a vital game in the context of the season. A win would keep Culina's side in the top four with the fifth-placed Melbourne Victory, who take on Newcastle Jets tonight also, are bearing down on them.